The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble will present, “On the Move,” a program that promises both innovative hilarity and soulful introspection at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in Page Theatre.

The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, the Midwest’s premier contemporary dance company, was founded by artistic director Laurie Eisenhower in the summer of 1991 in metropolitan Detroit. Since its inception, the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has been dedicated to the performance of a diverse range of contemporary dance works.

According to Dancer Magazine, “Eisenhower provided the framework for what turned out to be an electrifying dance experience. The dancing was filled with charismatic and artistic emotional execution and an extraordinarily high degree of technical precision. The music was diverse, inspiring and tastefully selected. The combination of excellent music, choreography and dance held my undivided attention from curtain to curtain … pushing the envelope of modern dance creativity and innovation to new limits, Ms. Eisenhower and Co. are clearly on the cutting edge. The genuine article. Highly recommended.”

Tickets for this Page Series performance are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and are available at the Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or at www.pagetheatre.org.

A reception for our colleagues from Saint Mary’s institutes in Nairobi, Kenya, Brother Paulos Mesmer (director of Christ the Teacher Institute for Education) and Father Michael Kirwen (director of The Maryknoll Institute for African Studies), will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Toner Student Center Lounge. A presentation will be given from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Punch, beer, wine and cheese, and hot hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Two jazz workshop combos, directed by John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven of the Music Department, will present a free concert Sunday, Dec. 19, from 2-4 p.m. at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St.

This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester, and it will serve as their “final exam.” They will be playing well-know jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique hybrid arrangements of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas tunes by Heukeshoven. An added plus will be the “Smashing the Windows” folk trio, featuring SMU students Kara White, Marie Stier and Hugh Stier.

As part of the Frozen River Film Festival, a screening of the documentary “FEAT” will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, in Figliulo Recital Hall.

The documentary chronicles Tim Borland’s coast-to-coast quest to run 63 marathons in 63 days for kids battling the rare, terminal disease ataxia telangiectasia, or A-T.

The makers of this film, Deborah and Bradley Carr, are both seasoned television and documentary producers. They met in college, where they were also introduced to their first A-T family. The couple collaborated to produce the first A-T Children’s Project Telethon at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2000. The eight-hour live broadcast served to educate the surrounding community about the orphan disease ataxia- telangiectasia, while simultaneously raising funds to support research. The telethon has grown to become an annual event at the University. Nikki Richmond’s (Campus Ministry) son, Taylor, has ataxia telangiectasia.

The producers of the film, Deb and Brad Carr, and Shjon Podein (a retired NHL player) have been invited to attend. There will be discussion after the movie.

Students in Dr. Janet Heukeshoven’s First-Year Seminar class made more than 20 children’s tie blankets as their Lasallian community service project. The class is the Saint Teresa Leadership and Service Institute section. The blankets were given to families with young children who asked for help through the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program. These blankets will help make many children’s holidays warmer and happier.

The Saint Mary’s University gifts for Winona program is once again nearing completion. For nine years, the SMU community has sponsored and organized this communitywide gift giving program. Many thanks to go all the generous benefactors, shoppers, organizers, wrappers and other volunteers who helped this year. Because of your support, we were able to fulfill wishes for more than 1,400 tags. Each of these tags represents an individual who received not only gifts, but also the knowledge that this community truly cares!

All employees are eligible to participate in the faculty, staff and administrative SOUL Trips taking place Jan. 12-14 and May 16-18. Participants will visit the San Miguel Schools in Chicago.

Any interested candidates should send a statement of interest to Chris McClead at cmcclead@smumn.edu or Box 42. Statements should explain why you are interested in the trip and how your work will benefit from the initiative.

Saint Mary’s is inviting the public to the annual “SMU 10K” classic ski event on Sunday, Jan. 30. A classic-style citizens ski event will begin at 10 a.m., and a skate race will begin at 1 p.m.

“We’re very fortunate to have an excellent trail system here that is both scenic, as well as challenging," said Chris Kendall, vice president of student life.

Both races will be held at Saint Mary’s University, home to one of the region’s finest cross country trail systems. The trails wind through the bluffs and valleys above the Mississippi River.

The event is open to the public.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. for the classic ski and 11 a.m. for the skate race, both at the SMU Toner Student Center. The cost is $10 for one race or $20 for both; the fee includes a souvenir race bib. Medals will be awarded for men and women in open and recreational classes.

For more information or to receive a registration form, call Gary Borash at Ext. 8740 or e-mail gmbora05@smumn.edu.

Dr. Casey Finnerty delivered a seminar titled “Scolexin, an Unusual Serine Proteinase from Manduca sexta” Nov. 12 at North Dakota State University. Dr. Finnerty was jointly hosted by NDSU’s Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Protease Research. Dr. Finnerty reports that his seminar was enthusiastically received, and he was also able to discuss collaboration opportunities with his NDSU colleague, Dr. Kendra Greenlee. Senior Nicole Clammer went along on the trip, as she is interested in pursuing graduate school after Saint Mary’s.

The SMU Biology Department now has its first prairie restoration pilot project underway —Led by Dr. Casey Finnerty; guided by Dr. Phil Cochran and Dr. Ray Faber of SMU, Dr. Bruno Borsari of WSU, and Bill Carter of Prairie Moon Nursery; and assisted by Saint Mary’s students and staff.

Two 25’ x 50’ plots located along Gilmore Creek on the north side of campus were prepared with the help of SMU’s Maintenance Department. One plot was tilled and the other sprayed with herbicide to see which method is substantially better for reducing competing weeds and establishing native plants. Seed from native prairie plants was donated by Prairie Moon Nursery and Dr. Borsari and his students at WSU.

Much of the seed needed to be milled by hand to release it from pods, and thanks go to Gary Borash, director of Outdoor Leadership, and students Paige Jenson, Matt Traxler and Marissa Wollak for assisting with this task. On Nov. 20, Borash, Wollack and Dr. Finnerty, assisted by Dr. Finnerty’s daughter, Grace, sowed the seed by hand onto the plots.

Information learned from this pilot project will be used to develop an outdoor learning laboratory for future students and will serve as a model for sustainable land use and conservation.

Seniors Nicole Clammer and Sean Ohl, accompanied by their research advisor Dr. Casey Finnerty, jointly presented a research poster at the 2010 Life Science Alley Conference and Expo Dec. 8 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Their poster was titled “Expression Optimization and Purification of Baculovirus Fibroblast Growth Factors” and reported on work they had completed over the summer as R & D Systems Summer Research Fellows in Saint Mary’s Biology Department, guided by Dr. Finnerty.

This was the first experience for both students at presenting scientific research outside Saint Mary’s, and they benefited from the opportunity to meet and discuss their work with colleagues. The highlight for both students and faculty was listening to and meeting the closing keynote speaker Dr. Doris Taylor, who addressed “The Art and Science of Regenerative Medicine.” Dr. Taylor was introduced as one of the top two heart researchers in the world, and her group at the University of Minnesota was the first to grow a functioning biosynthetic heart.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The faculty and staff Christmas dinner will be held Tuesday, Dec. 21. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails begin at 6 p.m. in the dining room. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. RSVPs are due today, Friday, Dec. 10, to Campus Box 30.

The Christmas Light Service — a retelling of the Christmas narrative through readings, carols and tableaus — will be held 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in Saint Thomas More Chapel.

Following the service, the Office of Academic Affairs and Chartwells Food Service will sponsor the traditional Pre-finals Christmas Breakfast for students from 10 to 11:30 p.m. in the dining room. The breakfast is served by faculty and staff and is typically attended by 700 students. Participants will also join the students in singing Christmas carols, and Santa will make an appearance.

A reception for our colleagues from Saint Mary’s institutes in Nairobi, Kenya, Brother Paulos Mesmer (director of Christ the Teacher Institute for Education) and Father Michael Kirwen (director of The Maryknoll Institute for African Studies), will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Toner Student Center Lounge. A presentation will be given from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Punch, beer, wine and cheese, and hot hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP by Tuesday to Jo Nesler at jnesler@smumn.edu or Ext. 1664.

The Saint Mary's University men’s hockey team enjoyed a day at the United Center — home of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks — Sunday, Dec. 5. The visit was made possible through Chicago Blackhawks President and 1975 Saint Mary’s alum John McDonough.

After completing games Friday and Saturday in Milwaukee, on Sunday the 29-member team was treated to a tour of the Blackhawks facility, including the team’s locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and all levels of the United Center. The Cardinals closed their day by watching the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames.

The SMU ceili dance class will host a ceili from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, in the Cardinal Club. Music will be provided by Garrigan’s Quarrel, a traditional Irish music group from Wabasha, Minn. Everyone will be invited to join in the dancing, but spectators are also welcome.

The ceili class will demonstrate some of the many dances they learned this semester, and will also invite others to participate in some of the more popular, well known dances. This is a chance to put a little Irish in your holiday cheer. For more information, contact Kate Flanagan.

The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary's Chamber Orchestra.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through song and spoken word — will be held at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Wabasha and Vila streets.

Music will include familiar carols, as well as selections by a variety of composers from the Renaissance to the present.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

WINONA, Minn. — The 18-piece Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo I and World Drum Ensemble will combine for an evening of hot jazz to melt away the chill of the season 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 10, in SMU’s Page Theatre.

Both jazz groups are directed by professor of music Dr. John Paulson, and the World Drum Ensemble is directed by SMU alumnus and adjunct music instructor Denny McGuire. The featured guest soloist for the concert will be guitarist Chris White from Appleton, Wis. The big band will play a swing-oriented set and a Latin set, along with players from the World Drum Ensemble.

The first set will include the great standard “Old Devil Moon,” arranged by Dave Wolpe; Jerome Richardson’s “Groove Merchant,” featuring the sax section; “Passion Flower” by Billy Strayhorn, with Tommy Quinn of Cannon Falls featured on alto sax; and “Blues ’n More” by Mike Steinel, which includes a small combo within the big band playing some super fast bebop blues. Also planned for the first set is a world premiere of a new arrangement by Paulson, which is a medley of three previous compositions “Cloud Theory,” “Sum Blues,” and “Cafe Renoir.”Highlights from the Latin set will include John Coltrane’s “Naima,” arranged by Craig Skeffington, done in a Latin style; Dizzy Gillespie’s hit “Manteca;” a new chart by Mike Carubia called “Hablemos;” “Maputo,” a smooth jazz-groove tune by Marcus Miller; and the well-know hit from Woodstock by Carlos Santana, “Soul Sacrifice,” arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman which will showcase the skills of White on guitar and combine the jazz ensemble with support from the World Drum Ensemble.

The jazz ensemble will also be selling their first CD release, “Staycation,” at the performance.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org. For more information, contact Dr. John Paulson at Ext. 1596 or jpaulson@smumn.edu.

WINONA, Minn. — Two jazz workshop combos, directed by John Paulson and Eric Heukeshoven of the Saint Mary’s University Music Department, will present a free concert Sunday, Dec. 19, from 2-4 p.m. at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St.

This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester, and it will serve as their “final exam.” They will be playing well-know jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis, as well as some unique hybrid arrangements of popular jazz tunes blended with familiar Christmas tunes by Heukeshoven. An added plus will be the “Smashing the Windows” folk trio, featuring SMU students Kara White, Marie Stier and Hugh Stier.

Severe weather conditions may occur this winter that necessitate the official cancellation of classes or create conditions that make traveling unsafe, even if the university remains open. Saint Mary’s is reluctant to close the Winona campus because so many of its students are in residence. However, weather conditions may occasionally prevent individual faculty members and other staff from traveling safely to campus.

A determination to declare a snow day will be made in consultation with other administrators by 6:30 a.m. A snow day means that classes are canceled and offices are closed.

In the event classes are canceled for an entire day, the following area radio and TV stations will announce this:

WINONA

KWNO (FM99.3 and AM1230)

KAGE (FM95.3 and AM1380)

KHME (FM101)

LA CROSSE

WIZM (FM93)

WXOX-TV

Rochester: KROC (FM106.9 and AM1340)

KTTC-TV

If a cancellation takes place right before or after a break period, the following will be notified:

TWIN CITIES:

WCCO Radio/TV (AM830/Channel 4)

KSTP-TV

CHICAGO:

WBBM-AM, WGN-AM (radio stations)

WBBM, WFLD, WGN, WLS, WMAQ (TV stations)

When calling the Emergency Closing Center, 1-312-222-1669, enter SMU’s main telephone number (507) 452-4430 when prompted to do so, and you will receive an automated message. You may also check online at www.emergencyclosings.com.

As with any class cancellation, you may refer to the main bulletin board in Saint Mary’s Hall or call the Class Info Line (Ext. 7878 or 457-7878 from off campus).

An SMU student, Logan Patrick Davis Lanz, was featured in a video done by the Spanish news in Seville about Thanksgiving.

The Spanish news channel TVE recently featured students in Seville as they shared Thanksgiving dinner in Spain. The report teaches Spaniards about the American tradition, while students express the importance of the holiday and of celebrating it together while they are away from home.

All undergraduate students were invited to participate in a campus wide call for entries, and this exhibition highlights the variety and diversity of our students. On display are student artworks from more than 14 majors, including Chemistry, Journalism, Theology, English, Theatre, Marketing, Biology, Electronic Publishing, Art Studio, Graphic Design, and others.

Dr. Ned Kirk, chair of the Music Department, recently performed at one of Asia’s premier concert venues, the Esplanade Center in Singapore. He performed with violinist Qian Zhou, the head of strings at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, and cellist Li-Wei, silver medalist at the 11th Tchaikovsky International Competition and first prize winner in the 2001 Naumberg Competition.

An opportunity to learn about the Staff/Faculty/Administration SOUL trips will take place today from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in Toner Student Center Room B. Past participants will share their stories.

Learn how the Lasallian mission is being lived out through the San Miguel SOUL trips to Chicago. Last May, staff and and faculty went on the first SOUL trip of this kind. Employees are invited to consider participating in one of the two trips planned for this year or simply learn about the initiative by attending a session. The first trip is Jan. 12-14 and the second trip is May 16-18.

Saint Mary’s is inviting the public to the annual “SMU 10K” classic ski event on Sunday, Jan. 30. A classic-style citizens ski event will begin at 10 a.m., and a skate race will begin at 1 p.m.

“We’re very fortunate to have an excellent trail system here that is both scenic, as well as challenging," said Chris Kendall, vice president of student life.

Both races will be held at Saint Mary’s University, home to one of the region’s finest cross country trail systems. The trails wind through the bluffs and valleys above the Mississippi River.

The event is open to the public.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. for the classic ski and 11 a.m. for the skate race, both at the SMU Toner Student Center. The cost is $10 for one race or $20 for both; the fee includes a souvenir race bib. Medals will be awarded for men and women in open and recreational classes.

For more information or to receive a registration form, call Gary Borash at Ext. 8740 or e-mail gmbora05@smumn.edu.

The grandmother of Sara Titus, wife of Steve Titus, senior vice president of University Advancement, passed away recently. The Saint Mary’s University community extends its sympathy to the Titus family.

Look ahead on your calendars. Next week, Dec. 17, is the last ‘Campus Notes’ before break. The deadline for this issue is Wednesday, Dec. 15. The next issue will be Friday, Jan. 21. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir will present their annual holiday tribute, “Lessons and Carols,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary's Chamber Orchestra.

The performance — a celebration of Advent and the Nativity through song and spoken word — will be held at Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Wabasha and Vila streets.

Music will include familiar carols, as well as selections by a variety of composers from the Renaissance to the present.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Dance Repertory Company in The Nutcracker, tonight through Sunday, Dec. 3-5.

The production will take place in Page Theatre.

This year marks the company’s sixth biennial production of the piece and features a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

The cast includes 80 members, comprised of students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

Through this ballet the beauty of the pure, young heart shines bright in a world of dancing dolls, angels, and of course, the wonderful, magical Nutcracker Prince. In the dreams of a child named Clara, a battle wages between a band of mice and a company of toy soldiers. With Clara’s assistance, the toy soldiers are victorious and grateful. A Nutcracker Prince welcomes her to the Land of Snow where they dance with the angels, and to the Kingdom of the Sweets hosted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances such as Spanish Coffee, Chinese Tea and Russian Baba.

The Nutcracker will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Page Theatre admits children ages 3 and older to this family event.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. To order tickets, call the Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

WINONA, Minn. — The 18-piece Saint Mary’s University Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo I and World Drum Ensemble will combine for an evening of hot jazz to melt away the chill of the season 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, in SMU’s Page Theatre.

Both jazz groups are directed by professor of music Dr. John Paulson, and the World Drum Ensemble is directed by SMU alumnus and adjunct music instructor Denny McGuire. The featured guest soloist for the concert will be guitarist Chris White from Appleton, Wis. The big band will play a swing-oriented set and a Latin set, along with players from the World Drum Ensemble.

The first set will include the great standard “Old Devil Moon,” arranged by Dave Wolpe; Jerome Richardson’s “Groove Merchant,” featuring the sax section; “Passion Flower” by Billy Strayhorn, with Tommy Quinn of Cannon Falls featured on alto sax; and “Blues ’n More” by Mike Steinel, which includes a small combo within the big band playing some super fast bebop blues. Also planned for the first set is a world premiere of a new arrangement by Paulson, which is a medley of three previous compositions “Cloud Theory,” “Sum Blues,” and “Cafe Renoir.”

Highlights from the Latin set will include John Coltrane’s “Naima,” arranged by Craig Skeffington, done in a Latin style; Dizzy Gillespie’s hit “Manteca;” a new chart by Mike Carubia called “Hablemos;” “Maputo,” a smooth jazz-groove tune by Marcus Miller; and the well-know hit from Woodstock by Carlos Santana “Soul Sacrifice,” arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman which will showcase the skills of White on guitar and combine the jazz ensemble with support from the World Drum Ensemble.

The jazz ensemble will also be selling their first CD release “Staycation” at the performance.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available by calling the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org. For more information, contact Dr. John Paulson at (507) 457-1596 or jpaulson@smumn.edu.

The High School Challenge preliminary season finished Saturday, Nov. 20, with Round 1C. High School Challenge is the longest-running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

During the first rounds of competition, teams that win their afternoon game return for the Consolation Championship games. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games return for the Super Challenge Championship in spring. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

The participating high schools receive $2,000 scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at Ext. 1761 or ngerdes@smumn.edu.

The 2010-2011 Employee Campaign has come to a close. In celebration of our shared success, a reception will be hosted today, Friday, Dec. 3, from 10-11 a.m. in the Common Room. Light refreshments will be served. Final numbers from the campaign, including participation percentage and total gifts and pledges secured will be announced at 10:15 a.m. Please make plans to attend to learn the results of our combined efforts!

A book signing of the latest book written by Dr. Richard Kowles will take place in the McEnery Center addition of Fitzgerald Library at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8. Unlike his previous two textbooks, this recently released publication is a trade book titled “The Wonder of Genetics. The Creepy, the Curious, and the Commonplace.” It was published by Prometheus Books and will be made available by a representative of the SMU Bookstore in the library at that time.

Dr. Kowles will make a few brief comments and answer questions, followed by a book signing. The library will host the event and also provide refreshments.

Dr. Kowles points out that the 37 short chapters systematically relate the presence of genetic concepts to numerous activities and everyday experiences of people, showing that genetic twists can truly be found everywhere.

Four student ensembles will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Figliulo Recital Hall. Ensembles include the SMU Chamber Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, Brass Choir, and Clarinet Choir. Music faculty members Dr. Ned Kirk, Eric Heukeshoven and Dr. Janet Heukeshoven coach these ensembles throughout the semester. This recital is free and open to the public.

All undergraduate students were invited to participate in a campus wide call for entries, and this exhibition highlights the variety and diversity of our students. On display are student artworks from more than 14 majors, including Chemistry, Journalism, Theology, English, Theatre, Marketing, Biology, Electronic Publishing, Art Studio, Graphic Design, and others.

Dan Piscitiello, a 2005 alum and son of Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission, recently completed a Lego-mosaic portrait of Luke Bucklin, the Sierra Bravo (now The Nerdery) co-founder who was killed in a plane crash last month.

Piscitiello works for The Nerdery and did the mosaic as a tribute, and MPR news picked up the story.

Learn how the Lasallian mission is being lived out through the San Miguel SOUL trips to Chicago. Last May, staff and and faculty went on the first SOUL trip of this kind. Employees are invited to consider participating one of the two trips planned for this year or simply learn about the initiative by attending a session. The first trip is Jan. 12-14 and the second trip is May 16-18.

The Offices of Student Life and Academic Affairs will host a special evening to honor all senior students, with special recognition for mid-year graduates of the College, on Thursday, Dec. 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Michael H. Toner Student Center Lounge. Beverages and hors d’ oeuvres will be served.

The MPCC LearnMoreMN blog is up and running. Learnmore is an initiative to inspire and foster new solutions to ensure that more Minnesota children succeed in school and move on to college.

Learnmore began in 2005 as an effort initiated by the Minnesota Private College Council, and it is the result of an informal alliance of more than 100 individuals representing business, education, service groups and others who are concerned about our state’s future.

Volunteers with the Student Activities Committee went door to door to all the halls on campus and got donations for the 10 Days of Giving. They collected 268 pounds of food and $255.31 in cash and change to give to the Volunteer Services food shelf.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Dance Repertory Company in The Nutcracker, Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 2-5.

The production will take place in Page Theatre.

This year marks the company’s sixth biennial production of the piece and features a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

The cast includes 80 members, comprised of students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

Through this ballet the beauty of the pure, young heart shines bright in a world of dancing dolls, angels, and of course, the wonderful, magical Nutcracker Prince. In the dreams of a child named Clara, a battle wages between a band of mice and a company of toy soldiers. With Clara’s assistance, the toy soldiers are victorious and grateful. A Nutcracker Prince welcomes her to the Land of Snow where they dance with the angels, and to the Kingdom of the Sweets hosted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances such as Spanish Coffee, Chinese Tea and Russian Baba.

The Nutcracker will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 4, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. Page Theatre admits children ages 3 and older to this family event.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. To order tickets, call the Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

The Oldies are members of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Saint Mary’s. The group consists of 10 talented and engaging singers and band members. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.; the Oldies will perform two sets, one at 6:30 p.m., and a second at 7:45 p.m.

The price for the dinner and show is $32 per person; reservations can be made now through Nov. 19 by calling Signatures at (507) 454-3767. Payment is accepted at time of reservation. A chicken or pasta option is available by reservation.

Visions Event Center is located at Signatures Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17 in Pleasant Valley.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is hosting its sixth biennial Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, Sunday, Nov. 21, at Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St. Both tea settings are now full. To get on a waiting list, call Ext. 5500.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party features two tea sittings at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., providing specialty teas and exquisite finger foods. The Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, as well as products from At Home America, Forever Engraved, Mon Petit Cupcake and USBorne Books, will be available for purchase from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person. All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary professional photo with their favorite live character from the Nutcracker Ballet. Tea attendees will enjoy the sounds of MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers, as well as flute, clarinet and piano accompaniment by MCA’s music division instructors.

Proceeds from The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party will benefit the MCA student scholarship fund and Nutcracker production costs.

The men’s hockey team will hold the first Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss tonight during the home game against Hamline University at 7 p.m.

Fans attending are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal — preferably new, but used in good condition will also be accepted and appreciated. Teddy bears will also be available at the area for a donation of $1.

After the first SMU goal in the first period — or at the end of the first period — fans will have an opportunity to throw their teddy bears and/or stuffed animals onto the ice. They will then be collected and go directly to benefit children in the local Winona area through Toys for Tots.

If you are unable to make it to the game, donate your gently used teddy bears from home for a good cause. Labeled boxes are on 1st floor of Saint Mary’s Hall and in the Office of Campus Ministry. Your bear will be available to fans without a teddy bear for a $1 donation and all proceeds will benefit Winona Toys for Tots.

A Palestinian woman who made world headlines in 2009 after she was arrested at an Israeli military checkpoint and forbidden to continue her studies at Bethlehem University will share her story with Winona audiences Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

In October 2009, on her way back to Bethlehem from a job interview, Berlanty Azzam was arrested at a checkpoint and forcibly deported. A Palestinian student from Gaza, Azzam was blindfolded, handcuffed and forbidden by the Israeli military to return to Bethlehem University — just two months shy of completing her bachelor’s degree. The Israeli state never told her why she was denied permission to complete her studies, only that her presence in Bethlehem was illegal. In December 2009, the Israeli High Court upheld the government’s position.

In January 2010, despite not being able to return to school, Azzam completed her degree long-distance from Bethlehem University.

Her story drew international attention from human rights groups and CNN, MSNBC, BBC and the Washington Post.

Since July, Azzam has been sharing her story across the United States. Her presentation in Winona is being hosted through a collaboration between Saint Mary’s University and Bethlehem University, both run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The group sponsoring her trip to the U.S. is Project Engage of the Telos Group, a non-profit educational initiative that seeks to educate America’s mainstream faith leaders and their communities about the causes of — and solutions to — the modern conflict that currently ravages the Holy Land.

Winona State University students are being invited to hear Azzam’s story Tuesday, Nov. 30. On Wednesday, Dec. 1, she will speak to Saint Mary’s students.

The public is invited to hear her story at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Saint Mary’s University’s Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Performance Center.

The employee United Way campaign has started. Last year, employees of Saint Mary’s donated over $6,000 to the United Way.

Pledge forms and United Way brochures are available in the Human Resources Office, Heffron 145; the form rack in the hallway outside of the Business Office; and at the Maintenance Department Office. Pledge forms are due back to the Human Resources Office at P.O. Box 38 by Friday, Nov. 26.

For more information, call Paul Wildenborg at Ext. 1442, or e-mail questions or comments to pwildenb@smumn.edu.

• Tick-borne Pathogens in Winona County: Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes scapularis: Lukas Wallerich. Wallerich also was awarded first place for outstanding presentation in his session of talks. He was also one of two students awarded travel expenses to present at the national meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Washington, D.C.

* These students were not able to attend the symposium but were involved in all other aspects of the projects.

A total of 233 donors participated in Give to the Max Day Nov. 16, pledging a total of $17,488 to Saint Mary’s. Additionally, because SMU has the 10th highest number of donors within the Greater Minnesota region, GiveMN awarded Saint Mary’s with an extra $1,000 gift.

Through the assistance of Give to the Max Day, the employee campaign achieved the University goal of 50 percent giving participation. This is the first time Saint Mary’s has achieved this level of employee giving.

If you would still like to make a gift but do not have a form, please contact Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658 or rfisher@smumn.edu.

Mike Ostman and Joe Richards were awarded the top prizes in the recent Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies.

Contestants created an idea for a business or an event and had 90 seconds (the length of an average elevator ride) to convince a panel of judges that the idea was a worthwhile investment. Judges considered the feasibility and creativity of the idea, as well as the enthusiasm and professionalism of the presentation.

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies will be sponsoring another Elevator Pitch Competition early second semester.

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1C 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, in the World Room.

The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

All undergraduate students were invited to participate in a campus wide call for entries, and this exhibition highlights the variety and diversity of our students. On display are student artworks from more than 14 majors, including Chemistry, Journalism, Theology, English, Theatre, Marketing, Biology, Electronic Publishing, Art Studio, Graphic Design, and others.

This is a reminder that there is no ‘Campus Notes’ next week because of Thanksgiving break. Look ahead on your calendars. The next issue will be Friday, Dec. 3. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Dec. 1.

The SMU Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform Richards’ world-premiere composition, “If You Could Only See the Frog” during its fall concert 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Page Theatre.

This concert marks the sixth world premiere composition made possible through the generosity of the Helen & Sam Kaplan Foundation. The Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Richards’ “If You Could Only See The Frog” is based on a Bulgarian children’s song sung by exiled Jews in the Spanish-Jewish dialect of Ladino. Its playful tune stems from a wide range of cultural influences and is a percussion driven exploration of this infectious melody.

The composer started his residency at SMU Nov. 10 and will conduct the premiere. Dr. Richards teaches at the University of Florida (Gainsville), and has received numerous commissions and awards including the ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s “Fresh Ink” prize and many others. For more information, go to www.paulrichardsmusic.com.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the SMU Concert Band will also perform works by Grainger, Arnold, Shostakovich and Grundman. The Wind Ensemble will perform two pieces, including arrangements of the familiar “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod and Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners.”

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.

The Oldies are members of the national music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Saint Mary’s. The group consists of 10 talented and engaging singers and band members. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m.; the Oldies will perform two sets, one at 6:30 p.m., and a second at 7:45 p.m.

The price for the dinner and show is $32 per person; reservations can be made now through Nov. 19 by calling Signatures at (507) 454-3767. Payment is accepted at time of reservation. A chicken or pasta option is available by reservation.

Visions Event Center is located at Signatures Restaurant, 22852 County Road 17 in Pleasant Valley.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party features two tea sittings at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., providing specialty teas and exquisite finger foods. The Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, as well as products from At Home America, Forever Engraved, Mon Petit Cupcake and USBorne Books, will be available for purchase from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person. All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary professional photo with their favorite live character from the Nutcracker Ballet. Tea attendees will enjoy the sounds of MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers, as well as flute, clarinet and piano accompaniment by MCA’s music division instructors.

To reserve seats, or a full table of six, call Ext. 5500. The Valéncia Arts Center is handicapped accessible.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea party is MCA’s first big event of its Nutcracker production season. The company will present the full-length ballet Dec. 2-5, at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre. This year’s 80 cast members include students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present a fresh reflection on the timeless Greek love story “Eurydice” tonight through Nov. 14.

“Eurydice” — by the recently Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl — is a modern reinterpretation of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus from a woman's point of view. The original story focuses on Orpheus and his journey into the underworld to save his wife, Eurydice, who he lost just moments after their wedding. Ruhl instead focuses on Eurydice’s descent into the underworld and imagines what her journey might have entailed.

Director Steven Bouler describes “Eurydice” as a 90-minute play of rare beauty about memory and loss, faithfulness and undying love. “It promises to be a disconcerting drama that will bring a tear to the eye, a lump to the throat and a smile to the face,” he said.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 12-13, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 12-13 and 4 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Studio Theatre, located upstairs in the SMU Performance Center.

Although the performance is free, tickets are required as seating is limited. Tickets can be obtained through the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715. A donation of a canned item for a local food shelf is encouraged.

Three Saint Mary’s students from the English Department will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, to present papers Saturday, Nov. 13, at Streamlines, an undergraduate conference for language, literature, and writing. The conference is co-hosted by Clarke University, Loras College, and the University of Dubuque.

Theresa Breault will present “Holocaust Imagery in the Poetry of Sylvia Plath”; Nicole Ciulla will present “Service unto the Individual: Greater than the ‘Greater Good’”; and Danielle Scholbrock will present “The Role of Female Sexuality and Intellect in Stoker’s Dracula.” The students will be accompanied by Dr. Carolyn Ayers, who will moderate a panel on Global Literature at the conference.

Saint Mary’s 17-piece Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo I will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in the Riverside Room at Jefferson Pub and Grill.

The informal show is free, but a free-will offering is encouraged for the Winona Food Shelf. The night’s set includes the great big band classic “That Old Devil Moon,” arranged by Dave Wolpe; Jerome Richardson’s famous “Groove Merchant”; a new Latin groove chart titled “Hablemos,” by Mike Carubia; and the classic “Manteca,” by Dizzy Gillespie; in addition to the great standards “Song for My Father” by Horace Silver; and “Freddie the Freeloader,” arranged by Les Hooper for big band. Jazz Combo I will perform Clifford Brown’s blues “Sandu,” Jobim’s “So Danco Samba” and the well-know hit “After You've Gone,” arranged by Frank Mantooth.

The ensemble’s next performance is Friday, Dec. 10, in Page Theatre, with SMU alumnus Chris White on guitar. This concert will include the SMU World Drum Ensemble, directed by Denny McGuire.

Music Department faculty member A. Eric Heukeshoven’s composition, “Music and Other Sounds for Horn Soloist,” was selected to be performed at the three-day La Crosse New Music Festival, held Nov. 11, in La Crosse, Wis.

Saint Mary’s freshman Regina Barbosa performed the piece, which Heukeshoven describes as, “a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ essay for, and about, horn players.” The work was composed in 1981 and has been performed numerous times over the past three decades.

Heukeshoven is currently writing a new piece commissioned for the Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers’ 2011 tour of Italy.

Gary Borash will present “Seeds of Success - Conservation and Land Management Internship Program,” at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov.18, in Room 112, Hoffman Hall. Borash graduated with an environmental biology degree in May 2010, and after a summer internship in Arizona, became SMU’s outdoor leadership coordinator.

Student poets from Saint Mary’s and Winona State will read their original work, followed by an open mic. This event — which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mugby Junction, 451 Huff St. — is free and open to the public.

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha would like to thank the Saint Mary’s community for its overwhelming support of Blue Angel 2010. More than 600 people enjoyed this year’s performances. Thanks go to everyone who helped make Blue Angel a success.

The Cardinal Corner is selling spirit hair (a hat with crazy colored hair) and vuvuzelas (horns). Send in pictures of you wearing spirit hair or blowing your vuvuzela, and the store will post them on its Facebook site. Everyone who submits photos will receive a free Red Card.

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota High School Challenge continues with Round 1B at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, in the World Room, located in the SMU Hendrickson Center.

The 2010-11 season marks the 40th year of the longest running, locally produced television program showcasing Eastern Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa high school students in an educational forum.

High School Challenge is a contest in which high schools compete to correctly answer questions dealing with high school subjects, general information and current events. Thirty-two teams compete in winner and consolation bracket tournaments at Saint Mary’s. The final eight games of the tournament are taped at SMU and are televised on Fox 25 La Crosse and Fox 48 Eau Claire.

High school students receive scholarships to Saint Mary’s for participating in High School Challenge. Schools that win their first game receive $2,000 scholarships to SMU. Schools that lose their first game receive $1,000 scholarships to SMU. These scholarships are for any member of the senior class with a B or above average.

Teams that win their afternoon game will return Dec. 4 for the Consolation Championship games with Logan (White team) and Cotter high schools. Teams that win their morning and afternoon games will return Feb. 19 for the Super Challenge Championship with Logan (Red team) and LaCrescent high schools.

For more information, contact Nicole Witt Gerdes, High School Challenge coordinator, at ngerdes@smumn.edu or Ext. 1761.

Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust, assistant professor of Theology, published an article in the December 2010 issue of Sojourners Magazine, “Unto Us A Child Is Given: Why Is It Such A Fight To Have A Natural Childbirth?” Sojourners is a magazine focusing on issues of faith, politics, and culture. Article available with free registration at www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.home.

Patricia Green, mother of Kim Leaf, Chartwells and Mugby Junction, died Sunday, Oct. 31. Notes of condolences can be sent to Kim Leaf, Campus P.O. 25. The Saint Mary’s community extends its condolences to the Green family.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Chris Farrell, economics editor for “Marketplace Money,” American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio personal finance program, will speak to audiences about “The New Frugality” at Saint Mary’s Thursday, Nov. 11.

Farrell has a unique ability to translate major trends in the economy and finance to a broad audience. He draws from his experience as a journalist, a large collection of everyday anecdotes, and a deep appreciation of history to make complex events simple and engaging.

An award-winning journalist, Farrell is a regular contributor to American Public Media’s “Marketplace Morning Report.” He writes for “Bloomberg BusinessWeek” and contributes to “Yahoo News.” Farrell also has a weekly column in the Minneapolis “Star Tribune.” A graduate of Stanford University and the London School of Economics, Farrell lives in St. Paul.

Farrell’s presentation, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Page Theatre, is free and open to the public. Farrell will discuss highlights of his latest book, “The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More and Live Better,” followed by a question-and-answer period, and a book signing in the lobby of the Performance Center.

Books will be available for purchase in the SMU Barnes & Noble Book Store and at the book signing.

Florida composer Paul Richards has been chosen for the sixth Saint Mary’s University Concert Band Kaplan Commissioning Project.

The SMU Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform Richards’ world-premiere composition, “If You Could Only See the Frog” during its fall concert 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Page Theatre.

This concert marks the sixth world premiere composition made possible through the generosity of the Helen & Sam Kaplan Foundation. The Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Richards’ “If You Could Only See The Frog” is based on a Bulgarian children’s song sung by exiled Jews in the Spanish-Jewish dialect of Ladino. Its playful tune stems from a wide range of cultural influences and is a percussion driven exploration of this infectious melody.

The composer will be in residency at SMU starting Nov. 10 and will conduct the premiere. Dr. Richards teaches at the University of Florida (Gainsville), and has received numerous commissions and awards including the ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s “Fresh Ink” prize and many others. For more information, go to www.paulrichardsmusic.com.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the SMU Concert Band will also perform works by Grainger, Arnold, Shostakovich and Grundman. The Wind Ensemble will perform two pieces, including arrangements of the familiar “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod and Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners.”

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) was selected to receive grant funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

MCA was awarded the funding through the State Arts Board’s Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant division, which funds organizations that provide open access and arts learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The formulary and merit-based funding acknowledges MCA as a leader in Minnesota community arts education.

The Minnesota State Arts Board funding will help support and expand MCA’s dance, music and theatre programming for children and adults. Furthermore, the grant will allow MCA to venture into new community outreach projects, move into the implementation stages of a visual arts division and remain fiscally responsible with balanced budgets.

“Writing the Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant was an intense and time consuming process, but it was well worth it,” said managing director Christine Martin. “This grant helps solidify the future of MCA.” As a non-profit organization, grant support allows MCA to offer quality arts programming to the Winona and surrounding area communities.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts exists to provide quality arts education and performance by nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children and adults. MCA’s service to the community ranges from recreational to pre-professional dance and performing arts curriculum and programming designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence. MCA is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s.

With instruction by visiting guest artist Allen Fields, the dance classes are a great opportunity for male students to build athletic endurance, balance and coordination. MCA offers nurturing classes with both male and female instructors, allowing male students to feel comfortable while building technique, creativity and confidence.

The classes will run from Tuesday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Nov. 12, at MCA’s Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St., and will focus on developing physical technique used in Classical and contemporary dance disciplines, such as ballet, modern and jazz. The Dance Technique for Boys classes are for male students ages 8-12 and will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The Men’s Dance workshops are for male students ages 13-21 and will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.

Pas de deux workshops

Allen Fields will also instruct Pas de deux workshops from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Male students ages 13-21 and intermediate and advanced female ballet students on pointe are invited to attend these free workshops as well. Students will learn the basics of classical partnering work.

The tuition waiver for these activities is made possible in part by a grant from the Sewell Family Foundation.

Advance registration for the Dance Technique for Boys classes, Men’s Dance and the Pas de deux workshops is required. Register online at www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org or in person at MCA’s Valencia Arts Center. For more information, call Ext. 5500.

This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party features two tea sittings at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., providing specialty teas and exquisite finger foods. The Land of the Sweets Gift Boutique, featuring holiday gifts and crafts, as well as products from At Home America, Forever Engraved, Mon Petit Cupcake and USBorne Books, will be available for purchase from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person. All children attending the tea party will receive a complimentary professional photo with their favorite live character from the Nutcracker Ballet. Tea attendees will enjoy the sounds of MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers, as well as flute, clarinet and piano accompaniment by MCA’s music division instructors.

To reserve seats, or a full table of six, call (507) 453-5500. The Valéncia Arts Center is handicapped accessible.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea party is MCA’s first big event of its Nutcracker production season. The company will present the full-length ballet Dec. 2-5, at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre. This year’s 80 cast members include students from Saint Mary’s, Winona State University and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

The Brothers of Phi Mu Alpha cordially invite members of the faculty and staff to Blue Angel 2010. This year’s performances are tonight, Friday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. and tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 and 10 p.m. You may receive a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice by contacting Bob Fisher at Ext. 6658, rfisher@smumn.edu or Campus Box 21.

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present a fresh reflection on the timeless Greek love story “Eurydice” Nov. 11-14.

“Eurydice” — by the recently Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl — is a modern reinterpretation of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus from a woman's point of view. The original story focuses on Orpheus and his journey into the underworld to save his wife, Eurydice, who he lost just moments after their wedding. Ruhl instead focuses on Eurydice’s descent into the underworld and imagines what her journey might have entailed. “I am interested in any woman who dies twice,” Ruhl has commented.

Director Steven Bouler describes “Eurydice” as a 90-minute play of rare beauty about memory and loss, faithfulness and undying love. “It promises to be a disconcerting drama that will bring a tear to the eye, a lump to the throat and a smile to the face,” he said.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 11-13, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 12-13 and 4 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Studio Theatre, located upstairs in the SMU Performance Center.

Although the performance is free, tickets are required as seating is limited. Tickets can be obtained through the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715. A donation of a canned item for a local food shelf is encouraged.

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Names will be read from the honor roll plaque of those individuals from the Saint Mary’s community who lost their lives in military service to our country. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Preston Lawing, chair of the Art and Design Department, presented a three-hour demonstration on traditional Japanese Woodblock printing at the Mid-America Print Council National Conference Oct. 15 in Minneapolis.

His research paper, titled, “Moku Hanga in the Digital Age,” was accepted for presentation in Kyoto, Japan in June 2011.

The first International Moku Hanga Conference had over 400 paper and presentation entries. Only seven were selected for inclusion.

Dr. Philip Cochran, chair of the Biology Department, will present “Back to the Fifties: Historical Use of Tadpole Madtoms as Bait in the Winona Region,” Thursday, Nov. 11. His presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 112 of Hoffman Hall.

Thank you to the School of Graduate and Professional Programs for sponsoring October’s “Lets do Lunch,” and to everyone who contributed. The luncheon raised $290.03 for students at CTIE in Nairobi. A big congratulations to “Old McDonald” Dr. Roger Peckover and other M.Ed. faculty and staff for winning first place in the costume contest.

Since being launched on Oct. 14, the 2010-2011 Employee Campaign has raised $35,539.94 in gifts and pledges for the current fiscal year, with support from 135 university employees. A priority of the campaign is to increase the participation of giving by university employees. Our goal this year is to exceed 50 percent, currently the university has achieved 30.4 percent.

The campaign runs through Friday, Nov. 12. You may have already been contacted, or can expect to be contacted soon, by one of this year’s campaign volunteers: Bob Biebel, Phil Cochran, Paul Fox, Laurie Haase, Neil Leibundguth, Megan Radke, Joe Sweeney, Lance Thompson, Rachel Thomas, Brendan Dolan and Nancy Wiltgen.

Thank you to all those who support our Lasallian Catholic institution. You are making a difference for our students!

Dr. Richard Kowles makes the complexities of genetics both humorous and understandable in his new book, “The Wonder of Genetics: the Creepy, the Curious and the Commonplace.”

Dr. Kowles, a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in Biology at Saint Mary’s University, drew upon his lifelong career in teaching (38 years at Saint Mary’s and 14 at the high school level) to answer such questions as, “Why do some people look like their relatives, while others don’t?” and “Why are some of us male and others female?”

“I wrote the book as a challenge because most people (and publishers) refuse to believe that genetic concepts can be explained to the average public; hence, I took on the challenge,” he said. “Consequently, it is a trade book geared to the general public and also to non-biology majors in college. Prometheus (the name of the publisher), in Greek mythology, means ‘inventive’ and ‘daring.’ How fitting for such a book.”

Kowles, known internationally for his research in genetics, explains that genetic concepts tend to be almost everywhere. The book deals with topics like: the genetic differences between males and females, the potential effects of radiation on the human genome, eating irradiated or genetically modified foods, cloning, genetic therapy, stem-cell research, nature vs. nurture, and how genes are related to many diseases, psychological disturbances and possibly other behaviors. Dr. Kowles concludes by addressing common misconceptions about genetics and emphasizing the discipline’s potential for curing some diseases, extending the human lifespan, enhancing medicine and agriculture, and generally improving society.”

And he accomplishes all of this with some tongue-in-cheek humor.

"Good teaching is to transplant what is in your head into the head of others with understanding — whether they are college students or the general public. And humor never hurts,” Dr. Kowles said. “Some ‘zingers’ are indeed embedded in the book.”

“The Wonder of Genetics” — Dr. Kowles’ fourth book— was published on Oct. 29. It is available by contacting Prometheus Books, 800-421-0351; on Amazon.com; at Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores; and at other local bookstores and online retailers.

A study hall is now available for students from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Room 13 of the Hendrickson Center. For more information, contact Jill Weigel, director of Academic Advising, at jaweigel@smumn.edu.

Student poets from Saint Mary’s and Winona State University will read their original work, followed by an open mic. This event — which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mugby Junction, 451 Huff St. — is free and open to the public.

Ken McCullough (Academic Advising, PASS program) has been selected as a chaperone and community representative for this year's exchange with Misato, Japan. The Japanese delegation was here last week and the Winona delegation will travel to Japan next April.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Chris Farrell, economics editor for “Marketplace Money,” American Public Media’s nationally syndicated public radio personal finance program, will speak to audiences about “The New Frugality” at Saint Mary’s Thursday, Nov. 11.

Farrell has a unique ability to translate major trends in the economy and finance to a broad audience. He draws from his experience as a journalist, a large collection of everyday anecdotes, and a deep appreciation of history to make complex events simple and engaging.

An award-winning journalist, Farrell is a regular contributor to American Public Media’s “Marketplace Morning Report.” He writes for “Bloomberg BusinessWeek” and contributes to “Yahoo News.” Farrell also has a weekly column in the Minneapolis “Star Tribune.” A graduate of Stanford University and the London School of Economics, Farrell lives in St. Paul.

Farrell’s presentation, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Page Theatre, is free and open to the public. Farrell will discuss highlights of his latest book, “The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More and Live Better,” followed by a question-and-answer period, and a book signing in the lobby of the Performance Center.

Books will be available for purchase in the SMU Barnes & Noble Book Store and at the book signing.

The Page Series will present The Houston Ballet II, one of America’s most sought after young ballet companies, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in Page Theatre.

Featuring a stellar array of young artists, The Houston Ballet II is young American ballet at its finest. The company is part of The Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest company, and performs a wide array of dance works that range from excerpts from great classics to contemporary works by Stanton Welch, the company’s artistic director. The evening’s repertoire will include “Raymonda Act III,” as well as the unexpected “Long and Winding Road,” based upon music by the Beatles.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. They can be purchased by calling the box office at Ext. 1715 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.